Small-town man making a big impact in his community
October 2024
While he’s not on a pole or in a bucket maintaining or restoring power for Central Virginia Electric Cooperative members, Brandon White can be found flying drones troubleshooting or inspecting the co-op’s infrastructure throughout the mountainous region. (photo by Jim Robertson)
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
Brandon White has helped prevent hundreds of hours of power outages with his bird’s-eye view of the Central Virginia Electric Cooperative system. A drone hobbyist for several years and journeyman lineman, White launched at the opportunity to obtain his operator’s license and successfully completed the FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Part 107 exam.
Born and raised just 5 miles from the co-op in Nelson County, Va., White grew up working on a farm and decided after a year that college wasn’t the right path for him and took a job at a local auto repair shop. When an opportunity as a groundman on a line crew opened at CVEC, doubling his earnings, White decided to give it a shot.
“They said if you don’t mind being outside, working hard and being part of a group, this will be a good place for you,” White recalls. “It checked all the boxes for me.”
Joining the CVEC crew with no prior experience, the co-op invested time, resources and, eventually, money into White’s development. He began his four-year apprenticeship through the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives after just six months.
White is grateful for the confidence and support provided by his co-op. “They’re willing to put in as much, if not more, as you’re willing to put in,” he says. “The more endorsements you have, the more valuable you are to your employer.” In addition to obtaining his commercial drone license, White is also certified as a crane operator and holds a commercial driver’s license.
While he’s not on a pole or in a bucket maintaining or restoring power for CVEC members, White can be found flying drones troubleshooting or inspecting the co-op’s infrastructure throughout the mountainous region. Identifying potential issues like cracked insulators, rotting poles, broken crossarms and tree limbs allows CVEC crews to make repairs and prevent service interruptions.
Earlier this year, White had the opportunity to showcase his skills as a drone operator at the annual Gaff-n-Go Rodeo in Doswell, Va., the largest regional lineworker rodeo in the U.S. Competing against his peers from neighboring co-ops and the U.S. Army, White took home first place. He was proud and excited to share the moment with his wife and two daughters.
“The most rewarding part of my career is the life I’m able to provide for my family, which is also the hardest part,” White admits. As expected, the demanding job of a lineworker has no boundaries when it comes to time. If the power goes out, they do as well. He wishes he could be with his family for every event and gathering, but he accepts the realization that with success comes sacrifice.
White encourages young adults who may be like he was to consider a trade school and learn a skill or to take a look at their local electric cooperatives. “There are big opportunities in small communities,” he says. “Sometimes, you just need to take a leap of faith.”
Earlier this year, Brandon White had the opportunity to showcase his skills as a drone operator at the annual Gaff-n-Go Rodeo in Doswell, Va. Competing against his peers from neighboring co-ops and the U.S. Army, White took home first place. (photo by Jim Robertson)